For years, Strangers in Paradise fans have speculated about a movie or television series based on the adventures — and love story — of Katchoo and Francine.

I didn't really expect it to happen, mainly because I couldn't imagine a producer who could fully appreciate the genius of Terry Moore's storytelling. But at last weekend's Xena convention, Steven Sears, who produced Xena, announced that he and Moore are working together to bring a live action version of SiP to television. Sounds like a match made in, well, paradise.

Sears and Moore got to know each other after the SiP issue in which Francine and Katchoo appeared as Xena and Gabrielle.

Once Moore finished the comic series — marvelously, I might add — he decided to get in touch with Sears and actively pursue making a TV show. Of course, the writers' strike has to end and they have to find a studio and make a pilot and get the series picked up and other minor details, but I can't help being excited about the prospect. And I can't help imagining who will play Francine and Katchoo. … continue reading

Last weekend, I stumbled across a strange little movie that is likely not playing at a theater near you. (Unless you live in New York. Then it's playing at the Quad Cinema.) The movie, Romance and Cigarettes, was written and directed by John Turturro and has what may be the best ensemble cast in the history of weird little independent movies.

James Gandolfini plays the lead, and his odd best friend is Steve Buscemi. His wife is Susan Sarandon.

His girlfriend is Kate Winslet. … continue reading

Every year it seems that one song above all others gets the cover treatment. This summer, that song has been Rihanna’s ubiquitous “Umbrella.” Thanks to that simple piece of pop perfection, I will never again get caught in the rain without wishing some kind soul would look at me and say, “You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh.” And, apparently, I’m not the only one. Artists as varied as Tegan and Sara and Mandy Moore have rendered their versions, with surprisingly effective results.

So, in the spirit of Friday and our seemingly never-ending desire to see celebrities face off with each other (seriously, how else can you explain Dancing With the Stars?), I give you the end-of-summer battle royal. Let’s call it The Umbrella Ultimatum ’07, because, uh, that sounds cool. At this point, you need to imagine that “Let’s get ready to rumbllllle!” dude’s voice.

In one corner — wearing rocker T-shirts and seriously lesbian hair — are those Canadian cuties, those twin titans: Tegan and Sara. … continue reading

I really like Mandy Moore. I’ve already made that abundantly clear here. I think she is wonderfully grounded in an industry that all too often celebrates its unapologetic train wrecks. She is mature, healthy, hard-working and, above all, talented. And nice, good heavens, she is so nice. Which is why, of course, it pains me greatly to show you this.

Oh, honey. Honey. Her eyelids, they looks so … heavy. Now I appreciate the smoky, sultry thing Mandy is going for here. I’m all for vamping it up now and then. But the pancake makeup and the I-vant-to-suck-your-blood lipstick just seems off. Plus, she just doesn’t look like herself. (Seriously, from a distance I thought, “Has Jennifer Tilly done something different with her hair?”) The dress and its accompanying cleavage, however, can stay. … continue reading

IMDb is featuring a photo gallery called "The Girls of Summer 2007." It collects still photos of the female stars of pretty much every summer movie you can think of, from the what-were-they-thinking (Isla Fisher in Hot Rod; Elisha Cuthbert in Captivity) to the pretty good (Claire Danes in Evening; Katherine Heigl in Knocked Up) to the sublime (oh, wait; it's summer. Never mind.).

What a nice weekend gift! Friday the thirteenth? More like Friday the droolteenth.

Here are some samples — visit IMDb for the complete eye candy.

Lauren Graham in Evan Almighty, stunning in her down-to-earth way

Mandy Moore in License to Wed — you still can't pay me to see this … continue reading

Here is the thing: I think I’m becoming a Mandy Moore fan. It’s so unexpected and, at the same time, oddly invigorating.

In a churning sea of pop tarts and party princesses, Mandy stands out as an oasis of self-confidence and grounded calm. While she came up at the same time as the bubblegum brigade of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Jessica Simpson, her path diverged. At the time, she seemed the least promising of the bunch and now she could have the most staying power (no disrespect to X-tina and her unparalleled pipes — that girl can flat-out sing). But Mandy is an industry triple threat: She sings, she acts and she seems smart. … continue reading

Although we AfterEllen bloggers don't have any interest in becoming the next Perez Hilton — because, well, we're just cooler than that — we do occasionally peruse the gossip blogs and the Page Sixes (uh, Pages Six?) of the world. So we thought, hey, why not bring you some of the most interesting (and slightly less trashy) tidbits, all in one post for your gossipy pleasure? Consider this the first "gossip aggregator" post, or Gaggregator for short. If you like it, we'll try to do it a couple of times a week.

This just in: Right after I posted the first version of this, TMZ reported that Ellen DeGeneres has hurt her back and will do this week's shows from a hospital bed. We know the show must go on, Ellen, but really: You should give yourself a break once in a while. I could have told you the coffeetable-straddling would get to you eventually!

1. The New York Post is reporting that Roseanne Barr might replace Rosie O'Donnell on The View.

The Post also lists other possibilities, like Whoopi Goldberg and Bette Midler. Actually, Roseanne's not a bad idea — she really held her own on Bill Maher's show a while ago. But I must repeat my Sherri Shepherd plea. Also, how about Nora Dunn, doing her Pat Stevens character? … continue reading

Because I Said So opens this weekend, featuring Lauren Graham, Diane Keaton, Piper Perabo, and Mandy Moore in the same movie. It's like Ocean's 11 for women!

Make that more like Ocean's 12, unfortunately--the reviews are so bad they make Smokin' Aces look like an Oscar-worthy meditation on violence.

But seriously, how can you resist this:

or this:

I don't care how bad the reviews are, I'm going to see this when it comes out on DVD. Or ends up on Lifetime, whichever comes first.